Hazards bloodborne pathogens

Description of hazard. Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can cause disease in humans. Workers who are exposed to these pathogens are at risk for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other diseases. Water system workers trained in first aid who can reasonably be anticipated to come into contact with blood as a result of doing their job duties are covered... 

A written safety program that includes the following topics new employee safety orientation, safety training, hazard communication, emergency action plan, fall protection, scaffolding, heat stress, personal protective equipment, electrical, first aid, and bloodborne pathogens. 

In addition to the Civil Rights Act, other laws and regulations affect the management ofhuman resources. For instance, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop and enforce workplace standards designed to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths (OSHA, 2007). Of particular relevance to pharmacy are OSHA s ergonomic workplace standards and its rules for preventing exposure to hazardous chemicals and bloodborne pathogens. 

All employees with occupational exposure must receive initial and annual training on the hazards associated with exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The training must also address the protective measures taken to minimize the risk of occupational exposure. Employers must conduct retraining... 

Bloodborne pathogens engineering controls—Sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, safer medical devices, such as sharps with engineered sharps injnry protections and needleless systems that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace. 

While the Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 does not apply to construction, employees in the construction industry are not free from BBP hazards. Therefore, OSHA uses other standards and federal law, as described later, to protect construction employees. 

Simply put, you must provide some protection for construction employees with occupational exposure, such as those designated as responsible for providing first aid or medical assistance. OSHA enforcement officers have indicated that what is expected for those employees includes basic instruction in bloodborne pathogen hazards, as well as vaccination and follow-up for first-aid providers in the event of an exposure incident. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and sharps containers must be provided. However, a written exposure control plan is not required. 

Bloodborne Pathogens — Hazards from Handling Human Blood Specimens... 

The purpose of this subpart is to protect employees from exposure to toxic and hazardous substances in the workplace. It covers the Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) for all air contaminants including all gases, vapors, and dusts. Some of the contaminants covered underthis subpart include asbestos, coal tar pitch volatiles, vinyl chloride, inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, benzene, coke-oven emissions, bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, ethylene oxide, and formaldehyde. 

A2. When the site selects hazard controls, does it follow the preferred hierarchy (engineering controls, administrative controls, work practice controls [e.g. lockout/tag out, bloodborne pathogens, and confined space programs], and personal protective equipment) to eliminate or control hazards ... 

You should also be aware that section 1926.21 (b)(2) requires that the employer instmct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and in the regulations applicable to his or her work environment in order to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury. Under this provision, the employer is required to train designated first aid providers in the hazards of bloodborne pathogens. 

The citations also covered six serious violations. These included guarding, ladders, saw safety guides, and training in the bloodborne pathogen standard. Wilful violations are those involving intentional disregard or plain indifference to the requirements laid down in the Occupational Safety and Health Act, while serious violations are those where there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard. 

Model Plans and Programs for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards. OSHA Publication 3186. Also available as a 520 KB PDF. 

OSHAs bloodborne pathogens (BBP) standard, 1910.1030, prescribes safeguards to protect workers against the health hazards from exposure to blood and certain body fluids that may contain bloodborne pathogens and to reduce their exposure risk. It would apply to anyone whose job might require providing first-response medical care in which there is a reasonable expectation of contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. 

Methods of Compliance. Methods of comphance shows the employer how to protect employees from the hazards of bloodborne pathogens and comply with the standard through universal precantions, engineering and work practice controls, personal protection equip-menL housekeeping, and the handling of regnlatory waste. 

Biological Hazards and Bloodborne Pathogens Discusses the hazards of biological agents, where and how they might be encountered, and some general approaches to prevent exposures. 

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